F1 team chief declares he has ‘no intention’ of selling £1.18bn-valued outfit ahead of the 2026 season

The 2026 Formula 1 season will see wholesale changes up and down the paddock as the new technical regulations are set to transform the sport.

With a huge emphasis on sustainability and electrical power, the teams are working extensively to develop their cars for next season, having been able to do so since January 2025. The existing 10 F1 teams also have to balance their development of this season’s car.

It has left many outfits indecisive about which season to focus on. Williams are solely working on 2026 as they hope to return to the front of the field with the F1 new regulations, while Ferrari will decide by the Belgian GP whether to shift focus from 2025 to next year.

This issue has led many teams to believe Cadillac may have a ‘slight head start’ for 2026. The American brand, who will become the sport’s 11th team next season, can solely work on next year, rather than having to develop two cars simultaneously.

The same applies for Audi, who take over from Sauber at the end of 2025, with the new regulations being the main reason why the German manufacturer is coming to F1. Next season will also see several teams change engine supplier, with Red Bull becoming a factory team in collaboration with Ford.

Aston Martin will switch to Honda engines from Mercedes, with the Japanese manufacturer leaving Red Bull and Racing Bulls at the end of the 2025 season. Alpine will take their place as a Mercedes customer team after shutting down their Viry-Chatillon factory.

Luca de Meo declares he has ‘no intention’ of selling Alpine ahead of the 2026 season

It has been a turbulent few months for Alpine, as they dramatically regressed to the back of the grid in 2024. Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon’s double podium at Sao Paulo salvaged sixth for the team in the constructors’ championship.

Their final season as a factory outfit has not gone to plan. Alpine have scored seven points from the opening eight races in 2025, with Oliver Oakes resigning as team principal and Jack Doohan being replaced by Franco Colapinto at Imola.

Jolyon Palmer has even noticed flaws in Pierre Gasly’s racecraft, saying that he needs to stop taking risks at the start of races. Alpine will be desperate to find performance with Mercedes in 2026.

But their switch from being a factory team has prompted speculation that the £1.18bn valued team could be sold and leave F1. However, Renault CEO Luca de Meo declared his intentions to keep the manufacturer in the sport.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport at the launch of the Alpine A390, de Meo said: “I want to take advantage of the Gazzetta dello Sport to reiterate that we have no intention of selling the Alpine team or leaving Formula 1.

“Competition is at the heart of Alpine’s strategy and Renault has the means to tackle it.

“We have a team that is working hard to achieve the results it deserves, we are honorably present at the Dakar with Dacia, we have obtained our first podiums in the World Endurance Championship, so we are continuing on this path.”

Have Alpine made the right decision to switch to Mercedes engines?

Alpine’s move to Mercedes engines has left many wondering whether it was the right call for 2026. No one currently knows for certain where each manufacturer is in terms of development, but early indications are positive for the Enstone-based team.

Mercedes are set to have the fastest engine come 2026, which will be music to Alpine’s ears as they currently sit second-bottom of the standings heading into the Spanish GP. Alongside McLaren, Williams and the factory Mercedes team, they could be seriously competitive next year.

Mercedes have a track record of success during regulations changes, evidenced by the switch to turbo hybrids in 2014. The Silver Arrows went on to win seven consecutives drivers’ titles and eight consecutive constructors’ championships.

Whether they will be as successful in the new era in 2026 is another question, but early signs are looking good for Mercedes and their customer teams. Their latest addition will hope it will propel them up the grid, especially when Alpine will pay upwards of £15m to run Mercedes engines.